Toronto may be known for its modern venues, but it has many historic ones, too—and several have been revitalized to environmental and accessibility standards.
Conference and event guests are in for a remarkable experience at any of these decades- and centuries-old Toronto venues. Each offers a unique glimpse into the city's rich past, while also ensuring modern-day environmental and accessibility standards via Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a worldwide green building certification program, and the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act. Here’s a glimpse into some of these revitalized spaces.
1. Evergreen Brick Works
This sprawling former brick quarry has an aesthetic that embraces contrasts: century-old brick kilns, raw steel, masses of native flowers and edgy graffiti.
“In a lot of the major historical buildings in Toronto, the bricks were actually made at the Brick Works.”
– Meghan Brazil, Director of Events and Visitor Experience at Evergreen
Where to meet
The Brick Works can accommodate corporate galas, meetings and team-building activities (think: nature hikes, campfires and gardening) in the BMO Atrium, CRH Gallery & Koerner Gardens, The Frances and Tim Price Terrace and The Pavilions, which is a covered outdoor space.
The back story
Evergreen Brick Works was home to the Don Valley Brick Works from 1889 to the early 1980s, churning out up to 43 million bricks every year. “In a lot of the major historical buildings in Toronto, the bricks were actually made at the Brick Works,” says Meghan Brazil, Director of Events and Visitor Experience at Evergreen. As for the abundant graffiti, Brazil says that traces to 1990s-era raves held when the site sat unoccupied. “We’ve maintained [the graffiti],” she says. “It's a heritage site and a lot of legendary graffiti artists’ work is exhibited throughout the space.”
Revitalization
The site reopened in 2010 as a green community hub and event space. The sensitive upgrading of historic structures was based on an adaptive reuse principle. “[This] reduces waste compared to demolishing a structure and building a new one,” says Brazil. Similar care was taken outdoors. Sections of the former quarry were transformed into ponds—a thriving habitat for turtles and birds.
- Sustainability: The main building is LEED Platinum certified and includes a geo-exchange system to heat and cool buildings and water conservation features.
- Accessibility: Parking, washrooms, meeting spaces and pond lookouts are accessible.
2. Queen Richmond Centre West (QRC-West)
An 11-storey office building is hoisted high above two heritage structures via gigantic steel delta frames
Where to meet
QRC-West in Toronto’s Entertainment District hosts business groups of 250 seated guests or 1,000 for a standing cocktail reception. There’s also an on-site restaurant, Ricarda’s, that can accommodate 100 seated guests or up to 200 for a cocktail reception.
The back story
The historic buildings served as a biscuit factory from 1915 to the 1970s.
Revitalization
After the biscuit factory closed, a question remained: how to preserve two heritage buildings while also adding office space? The answer: a feat of engineering. The architects enlisted a steel fabricator to make a frame with 40-inch-wide tubular legs. Each frame can support nearly 18 million pounds. The resulting 11-storey tower above the original structures was completed in 2015.
- Sustainability: LEED Gold certification.
- Accessibility: the Atrium and restaurant are wheelchair accessible.
Event inspo
The Atrium is the perfect backdrop for events looking to showcase design triumphs. Lamborghini recently debuted two new Temerario models here, bathing soaring steel frames and sleek sports cars alike in dramatic lighting. Zoe Van Empel, director of sales and events, says in-house caterers dreamed up a custom Italian-inspired menu.
3. Toronto Botanical Gardens and Edwards Gardens
In this lush four-acre uptown oasis, meetings take place in brightly reimagined mid-century buildings with a stunning backdrop of ever-changing seasonal garden displays.
Where to meet
The George and Kathy Dembroski Centre for Horticulture includes two indoor meeting halls with adjoining outdoor courtyards and studio rooms.
The back story
What’s now the Edwards Gardens site was purchased by Toronto businessman Rupert Edwards in 1944 from a Scottish milling family who had settled there since 1817. Edwards gets credit for transforming the weed-ridden acres into a glorious garden with one of the largest rockeries in Canada. Ultimately Edwards sold it to the city in the 1950s on the condition it become public parkland.
Revitalization
After a redesign in 2005, the main building now features a striking 5,000-square-foot glass pavilion, accessible washrooms and meeting spaces, as well as LEED certification. The gardens were given an upgrade in 2006 and most paths are now paved. The updates received a Design Excellence Award from the Ontario Association of Architects in 2008.
- Sustainability: LEED Silver certification.
- Accessibility: Accessible parking, washrooms, elevators and paved paths in the main gardens. A sensory backpack is available with headphones, sunglasses and fidget toys.
4. Wychwood Barns
Owned by the city and operated by a non-profit called ArtHubs, this former streetcar maintenance facility has lots of natural light, soaring brick walls, historic photographs and original machinery and tracks
Where to meet
The 7,680-square-foot Covered Street Barn is ideal for conferences, fundraisers, team building and galas. For a seamless indoor/outdoor experience, you can also book the adjacent 3,000-square-foot Christie Courtyard.
The back story
The former streetcar maintenance facility features five barns that are excellent examples of Classic Revival architecture, each built from 1913 onwards. By 1996, due to declining streetcar use, the site was slated for demolition until community opposition inspired an adaptive reuse plan.
Revitalization
Completed in 2008 with carefully chosen materials and guiding principles of preservation, community and sustainability, each structure has a different usage: the main meeting space, live/work artist studios, not-for-profits and a greenhouse.
- Sustainability: LEED Gold certification. Additionally, the venue frequently welcomes green events like the Build Green Career Fair and EcoFair Toronto and is home to The Stop’s weekly farmers’ market.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible. The venue also hosts the annual Disability Holiday Market where disabled artists showcase their work.
5. Automotive Building at Exhibition Place
This restored Art Deco masterpiece is Canada’s first LEED Silver-certified conference centre.
“We had to modernize the facility so we could use it as a meeting space [while paying] our respects to the heritage aspects of the building.”
—Laura Purdy, General Manager, Exhibition Place
Where to meet
The 160,000-square-foot Automotive Building boasts Toronto’s largest ballroom, which can be divided into two spaces accommodating up to 4,000 guests. The venue also features three pre-function rooms and 20 meeting rooms. The adjoining Enercare Centre offers one million square feet of additional exhibition space.
The back story
Part of Exhibition Place by Toronto’s waterfront, the Automotive Building was designed by Torontonian Douglas Edwin Kertland and built in 1929. Originally, this was a place where automakers could exhibit new models, including Volkswagen’s Canadian debut in 1952 and the world premiere of the Edsel in 1957.
“Not only do they have solid sustainability initiatives in place, but the building is gorgeous.”
– Kelly Drennan, executive director of FTA, in regards to their annual sustainable fashion conference WEAR
Revitalization
The 2008 restoration retained the historic exterior, while transforming the interior into a modern, highly functional conference, meeting and event facility. “We had to modernize the facility so we could use it as a meeting space [while paying] our respects to the heritage aspects of the building,” says Laura Purdy, General Manager of Exhibition Place. “It's a listed heritage property. As such, we actually retained two different architects for the project: one was a heritage architect who preserved the heritage aspects of the building and the other… was responsible for the modernization of the building.”
- Sustainability: LEED Silver certification. The ballroom lighting recently got a comprehensive upgrade with state-of-the-art LED fixtures.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible. The second level features visual cues near elevators and escalators for those with low vision.
Event inspo
Event planners love how this setting sparks conversations around sustainability and beautiful design. Kelly Drennan, executive director of Canadian NGO Fashion Takes Action, has held FTA’s annual sustainable fashion conference WEAR here, and says, “Not only do they have solid sustainability initiatives in place, but the building is gorgeous.”
6. Massey Hall / Allied Music Centre
Enter the iconic red doors of this cherished Toronto institution to discover a lovingly revitalized venue with multiple spots to mingle, lose yourself in the music and tread where countless legends have gone before.
Built in 1894, industrialist Hart Massey gifted this red brick beauty to the city and Toronto’s budding music community.
Where to meet
The expanded centre has many exciting meeting spaces:
- The main Allan Slaight Auditorium offers retractable seating, backstage space and accommodates 2,534 seated guests or 2,800 standing.
- Two adjacent Grolsch Lobby Bars each accommodate 500 cocktail guests.
- A seven-story glass addition offers additional amenities including the 500-seat TD Music Hall.
The back story
Built in 1894, industrialist Hart Massey gifted this red brick beauty to the city and Toronto’s budding music community. Massey’s stage has been rocking ever since. Whether it’s international greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan or U2, or Canadian artists like Gordon Lightfoot and The Tragically Hip, the renowned acoustics and wrap-around intimacy make every performance magical.
Revitalization
Shuttered between 2018 and 2021 for an epic $184-million revitalization, according to KPMB Architects, work included meticulous restoration of almost 100 stained glass windows and other heritage elements in the Moorish-styled auditorium, the Art Deco lobby and the Palladian exterior. Upgrades also encompassed mechanical systems, seating and acoustics—plus the seven-story addition.
- Sustainability: The Allied Music Centre utilizes district heating and cooling (via steam and deep lake water) and has a green roof.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, thanks to new elevators.
Event inspo
Events love tapping “the building’s historic and contemporary energy,” says Mima Agozzino, communications manager for the Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall. At a recent Industry Open House, activations included a photo op on the iconic Massey Hall stage, live demos in the recording studio, a screening of Gordon Lightfoot: Live at Massey Hall, and bites and cocktails at the various lounges and bars.
